Report -Mount St Mary's Irish Catholic Church, Leeds July 2011

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Mount St Mary's Church, "The Famine Church" due to the fact that it was built during the recovery of the Irish from the great potato famine, stands high on Richmond Hill in Leeds, an area known traditionally as 'The Bank' and once home to Leeds' poor Irish Catholic population. In 1851, following a meeting between Father Robert Cooke of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate and a group of the city's Irish Catholics, St Mary's Mission was opened by the Oblates. Construction on the church began in 1852, however funds were desperately low and the building took five years to build, the main building (designed by Joseph Hansom of the Hansom Cab fame) finally achieving completion in 1857, with the chancel and transepts (designed by EW Pugin) being added in 1866.

The church closed it's doors for the last time in 1989, reportedly due to a dwindling congregation, and was deconsecrated by the Catholic church. Rumour has it that the owner sold anything of value inside before leaving this beautiful building to rot. A sad end for a magnificent space.

Mostly shot on Canon Eos 500 35mm, a couple of the shots at the end are from my digital...